Smooth Ceiling Renovation, Part 3: After

It's finally time to reveal our beautiful new ceilings! (drum roll...) Tada! Crisp, white, non-stained, un-bumpy, smooth ceilings all around. I still look up and marvel at how nice it is. I can't express how much better and brighter and newer everything looks now! It feels like it was always this way (and should have been). 

Here's a comparison of the before and after.

Isn't it great? We are very happy with how it turned out and can't thank our friend, Jesse Wilson, of J. Wilson Construction enough for the time he spent working on it and helping us get through this massive project! 

We replaced the old iron wall sconces that had shades, with new simple brushed silver lights - which we discovered were on a dimmer switch. Bonus!

Here is another before and after comparison of the front play room. The light fixture was switched to match the one in the hall (similar style as before).

The living room and kitchen have LED recessed lighting, which are all on dimmers. The amount of light and the quality is amazing now. We can actually SEE what we're doing in the kitchen. Like chopping vegetables and not feeling like I'm in the dark. It makes SUCH a difference! I wasn't sure if we needed as many lights as we were planning on, but it was totally worth it! I don't regret any of them.

 

And last, but certainly not least, a new light fixture for our eat-in kitchen. I selected this pretty glass beauty at Home Depot and it's just right for this spot. Doesn't it look like a trifle bowl or an upside down cake stand? Perfectly fitting. The old chandelier was so bulky for such a small space and trying to keep 6 light bulbs always lit was annoying. I love the simplicity of the new light. 

This gives you a sneak peek at my mini kitchen makeover (no more red). More to come on that, soon!

I now have such an appreciation for ceilings and the work it takes to make them look good. Andrew and I survived another major home project and Marshall made it through his first one! It took two solid weeks of work, and then additional days of finishing up loose ends. Definitely memorable, and in the end, worth all the mess and inconvenience. I'm so thankful for my "new home", because cosmetically, it feels like we got a new first floor.

Painted Red Chandelier

One of the first home office projects I couldn't wait to try, was painting a chandelier a bright bold color. What's bolder than red, right? My challenge was to find a second hand chandelier on the cheap that I wouldn't be afraid to paint (or mess up). It took some time scouring thrift shops and Craigslist to find the right one. 

I hit the jackpot when I found this light fixture on Craigslist, new, still in the box, for $12! It was the perfect size, just not the color I had in mind. 

Faux bronze chandelier, meet glossy red can of spray paint. This paint really gave it a high gloss lacker look, which I have been seeing everywhere lately. 

I rigged up a spray painting setup in the backyard, using a shepherds hook to suspend the chandelier. I covered the electrical cords with a plastic bag and stuffed paper into the sockets. 

It took 3-4 coats of the glossy red paint to completely cover every nook and cranny. I instantly loved it! 

I couldn't wait to see it in the new room. Andrew helped me switch out the old fixture and install this beauty.The cord and chain were a bit tricky but we made it work. I chose to use round light bulbs to make it a little more modern. This room used to be somewhat dark, but now there's tons of light! This little chandelier is both beautiful and functional. So bright! 

These are some chandeliers (found via Pinterest) that inspired me to even try such a dramatic project. I just love the fun pop of color and interest that it adds. 

If you have an old chandelier hanging around (pun intended) or find one at a thrift shop, don't be afraid to give it new life. It's amazing what spray paint and new bulbs can do!